That's more than twice the amount paid to the mayor and eight councillors on Kamloops City Council. They were paid $293,119 in salary and expenses last year. With a population of 73,472, the cost per represented population is $4.52.

All First Nations in the country are required to file financial information this month. The Canadian Taxpayers Federation claims partial credit for pushing the federal government to create the law after it exposed exhorbitant salaries paid to chiefs and councillors across the country. So far, only a few of the 600 or so bands in Canada have reported, or have had their results posted online.

Band chief Shane Gottfriedson would likely escape the taxpayer federation's finger pointing with his $92,362 in tax free salary, benefits and expenses — in 2013, Kamloops Mayor Peter Milobar took home $98,138 in salary, benefits and expenses (one-third of salary is tax free).

These comparisons are made only because of proximity to each other. Infonews.ca is seeking clarification from the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc on councillor roles and finances. Attempts to reach Gottfriedson or the band were unsuccessful.

OPINION Editor, This is a busy time of year, but I find it’s also a time of reflection, particularly as January marks the end of my two-year term as Chair and my 10 years serving on the Board of Interior